Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom

9401 Farwest Dr SW, Lakewood, WA, 98498-1999
Tel: (253)964-6500
Public | 7,478 students
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COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom serves 7,478 students (40% of students are full-time).
  • The school's student:teacher ratio of 45:1 is higher than the college average of 21:1.
  • Minority enrollment is 39% of the student body.
  • Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom is one of 6 community colleges within Pierce County, WA.

School Overview:
Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom
Community College Avg.
Institution Level At least 2 but less than 4 years At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control Public Public
Instructional Staff Total
(research/public service staff included)		 165 staff 63 staff
Student Body
Total Enrollment 7,478 students 1,418 students
Student / Staff Ratio 1:45 1:21
# Full-Time Students		 3,015 students 1,262 students
# Part-Time Students		 4,463 students 1,508 students
 
% American Indian/Alaskan		 1% 1%
% Asian		 5% 2%
% Hawaiian		 1% 1%
% Hispanic		 11% 6%
% Black		 13% 15%
% White		 61% 62%
% Two or more races		 7% 2%
 
Finances and Admission
In-State Tuition Fees
(2010-11)		 $3,273 $4,485
 
Out-State Tuition Fees
(2010-11)		 $8,505 $8,679
 

School Notes:

  • Pierce College District 11 is two community colleges and an extended learning program in Pierce County, Washington state. Pierce is one of the largest educational providers in the state, and is nationally ranked in degrees conferred. Our programs include transfer courses parallel to the first two years of university and four-year college work, vocational degree and certificate programs for training or retraining in a variety of job fields, developmental, basic skills and high school completion courses, personal and professional development through continuing education courses and traditional and non-traditional learning opportunities.
  • Pierce College's rise to prominence in Washington's higher education system began humbly. It opened in 1967 as Clover Park Community College, and its administrative offices and library were housed in an abandoned grocery store. A local school district operated the college, and instructors held classes throughout Pierce County at area high schools, military bases and hospitals. In its first year of operation, the college became part of the statewide community college system. With support of the state legislature, which passed the Community College Act of 1967, a permanent campus was chosen. The site, 140 acres in the historic Fort Steilacoom area of Lakewood, led to a new name: Fort Steilacoom Community College.
  • With a strong reputation for solid, affordable educational programs, the college continued to grow rapidly. A major addition and remodeling of the Fort Steilacoom campus were complete in 1987. At the same time, an 85-acre site in Puyallup was purchased to become the permanent home of the Puyallup campus. Officials broke ground for the first building in 1989 and at the start of fall quarter 1990 held the facility's grand opening. A second building was opened in Puyallup in the Fall of 1996.
  • Pierce College offers a variety of associate degrees for university transfer, Associate in Technology degrees for professional/technical training in a wide range of career fields, and professional/technical certificates for entry-level employment preparation.
  • Pierce College is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges and the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. It is part of the state system of public community and technical colleges.
  • Sports Associations Memberships: National Athletic Association, Other National Athletic Association

Nearby Schools:

Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom
7478 students | 0 mi. away
Clover Park Technical College
4445 students | 3.5 mi. away
Tacoma Community College
6617 students | 5.3 mi. away
Bates Technical College
2038 students | 8.1 mi. away
Highline Community College
7067 students | 19.5 mi. away
South Puget Sound Community College
5571 students | 19.6 mi. away

View all collleges in: Washington, Pierce, Lakewood , Zip 98498

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